Why Were 5 Great Divas Born in the Same Week? An Astrological Fashion Reading

Diva Week: In all fairness, it’s no official holiday you’ll find on your lunar calendar. But for astrology buffs, it’s literally the stuff of legends. During a particularly auspicious five-day stretch, some of the most famed chanteuses of our time were born: Chaka Khan. Mariah Carey. Diana Ross. Aretha Franklin. Lady Gaga. All Aries women, they lived up to their fire-sign origins, blazing trails and leaving indelible markers on pop culture with their record-breaking careers and distinctive looks.Think of the shock of Chaka Khan’s red tresses, Carey’s fascination with butterflies, Ross’s showstopping curls and costume changes, Aretha Franklin’s impressive hat game, Lady Gaga’s center-stage theatrics. All five share a preternatural sense of electrifying, attention-grabbing style that, according to astrologer Kevin Jennings, is written in the stars. And so we asked Jennings to give us an astrological “fashion reading” to find out exactly what the zodiac has to say about why these women ignite trends and are consistently leading the pack.

Aretha Franklin

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Aries Women Are From MarsEach of these women has a strong Aries aspect to their chart, but each one of them has a strong Scorpio aspect as well. What’s fascinating about that to me is that the planet Mars is the ruler of Aries and is considered the ancient ruler of Scorpio: In some ways we’re actually talking about Mars style. Mars was the god of war, but it’s important for us not to think in a modern sensibility about fatigues and canteens; the ancient concept was a glittering parade—the sunlight glinting off swords and helmets, amazing capes. It was kind of dazzling. Because Mars is such a masculine planet, it is said that a woman with an emphasized Mars will somehow be particularly striking, that rather than be “merely pretty,” she will be unforgettable in the vivid impression she creates.

Diana Ross

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Diana Ross Doesn’t Need a StylistIn the ancient world, fire was regarded as the element of the divine, and so, like those born under other fire signs, deep down inside Aries people feel like they’re immortal. Aries is incomparable in that way—they blaze. Aries feel like they run the show, and that quality imbues itself in their style. They tend to set trends rather than follow them. They define things by their own terms. These are women who may have a lot of input from stylists and designers, but in the end, they’re the ones who are in charge, and that comes through in their persona. They feel highly individualistic; it’s not like they’re being manipulated for the effect of the image.

For a Diva, a Concert Is Never Simply a ConcertMars is a fiery planet, so all associations with fire are appropriate. Reds, oranges, fabrics that emulate flame: Mars is hot. Sexually it is about conquest and winning. And not only do we have the association with blood red—because Mars is also the god of war—we have all the glittering pageantry and panoply, of a splendid display, like the theatricality and ceremony of a military parade. That’s interesting to me, because for a diva, a concert is never simply a concert, it’s an event! Diana Ross doesn’t give concerts: She has happenings and major cultural shifts.

Mariah Carey

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Mariah Carey’s Fascination With Butterflies, DemystifiedThe symbol of Aries is the ram, so with people born under the sign, it tends to be about something that draws attention to the face and the head, whether it’s hats or their hair or distinctive eyebrows, or other elements in their signature color. Think of Chaka Khan’s fire red hair. And Mariah Carey’s butterfly in ancient symbolism was related to the divine feminine as fire: The flickering wings of the butterfly looked like flickering flames.

Fashion as ArmorWhen you think of Aries, you think of them being on the go. You don’t think of them as homebodies—you think of them with suitcases, airports, going to events, and on the red carpet. Their love of luxury is all about what they wear and what they surround themselves with and how they present themselves. Which to me feels militaristic—like, “I’m going to put on my armor and it’s custom­made for me! And I’m going to get on my horse and wow the crowd.” I can see that with Lady Gaga in her early days: Fashion was something that drew attention to her, but it also helped protect her.

Standing Tall and PrettyThe head and the face come first, so an Aries diva would never want her shoes to take precedence. Shoes are the platform or the pedestal for the rest of the look. That said, Aries, and Mars, is associated with knives and things that cut. So I think very sharp stilettos would be an Aries thing. It kind of mimics that idea of steel or blades, something that cuts and lifts up.

Style That Proclaims ItselfAries are the first sign of the astrological year; they’re the infants of the zodiac. So an Aries will announce themselves or launch themselves, but as they mature and get a bit more gravitas, their style will shift and evolve. But often, there is a kind of trumpet blare that announces, “Take a look at me! I’ve arrived on the scene!” I think we see that with Lady Gaga in her early incarnation. It was very “Pay attention to me!” but in a good way.